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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: ninthace on 00:01:41, 04/02/19

Title: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 00:01:41, 04/02/19
I am getting near my trip to New Zealand so I logged on to Garmin to get some maps for my Etrex.  Talk about disappointing!  There is no equivalent to the Birdseye or Kompass system of downloadable maps - they would have you buy an SD card of all of Australia and New Zealand for the princely sum of 229 NZD.  Heck - I only want a few bits of North Island!


I have tried download Open Source maps for my Garmin but with limited success.  My favourite site http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ has gone into a terminal sulk and refuses to offer a download - apparently it has been like that since last October.  I have tried NZ's own version http://nzopengps.org/ but all I could get was a crude topograhic map and while my garmin says it is installed and enabled, the screen shows no features other than boundaries and roads on a black background - not a lot of use if the contours are black.


Fortunately a ViewRanger subscription to the Linz Maps of NZ is only 133 credits for the time I will need it so I will have to go with that.  However, my data roaming charges are stupid money per Mb so I will have to jump from WiFi to Wifi to download the maps I need when I know where I am going.  Then again, I could do it the old fashioned way!
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: fernman on 08:33:47, 04/02/19
Then again, I could do it the old fashioned way!

That's what I was going to suggest! Paper maps scoring over technology, who'd have thunk it?

(as he ducks for cover.)
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 08:43:13, 04/02/19
That's what I was going to suggest! Paper maps scoring over technology, who'd have thunk it?

(as he ducks for cover.)
Tbh what I have seen of the Linz paper map does not thrill me either. Hope I can find something better.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: GnP on 20:36:06, 04/02/19
Have you had a look on the Talky Toaster web site for New Zealand.? They do have some but I have no idea if they are detailed enough
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 21:09:20, 04/02/19
Have you had a look on the Talky Toaster web site for New Zealand.? They do have some but I have no idea if they are detailed enough
I did when I was looking for a free map. There is an Kiwi toaster site as well. I may have to bite the bullet and pay for it.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: BuzyG on 19:36:59, 05/02/19
I have been looking at maps ahead of our visit out there at he end of the year.  So far the best I have come accross is HEMA.

https://dash4it.co.uk/hema-new-zealand-handy-atlas-spiral..html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrM2b9Kil4AIV77vtCh2Mgga_EAQYBSABEgL34fD_BwE (https://dash4it.co.uk/hema-new-zealand-handy-atlas-spiral..html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrM2b9Kil4AIV77vtCh2Mgga_EAQYBSABEgL34fD_BwE)

I have yet to purchase.one though.  So can not vouch for the detail.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: BuzyG on 20:24:20, 05/02/19
On the electronic side of things, Edd is using Strava to record his activities out in NZ.  I then log in and can see what he is up to.  Today he has been up The hooker track on Mount Sealy.  Hopefully he will post some pictures later. Great App.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: BuzyG on 21:52:20, 05/02/19
Ok so I have spent some time on the interweb his evening.  Reading on the Hens website they may be able all you need.  Enough reading for now, take a look here and let me know what you think. 


https://www.hemamaps.com/plan/trip-preparation/how-to-prepare-for-new-zealands-great-walks
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 22:42:23, 05/02/19
Been talking to No. 1 son - he reckons LINZ maps are what I need for walking, they are 1:50k (cannot find any 25k).  Rural rambling as we know it does seem to exist in NZ as there is no right to roam or PROWs as we know them  The walkable trails are well signed apparently so maps are not essential and DOC offices are a good source of trail info and maps.  LINZ topo 50 link -  https://www.linz.govt.nz/land/maps/topographic-maps/topo50-maps


You can get LINZ maps on ViewRanger but the site is a lousy source for walks apart from the Trails.  For example I have a few days in New Plymouth and VR has nothing suitable to offer at all - Gpsies.com, Wkiloc and NZ websites are better sources.
Could not make head nor tail of the HEMA link for suitable walking maps.  Talkytoaster does have downloadable maps for Garmin for £25 - not sure about the quality.  The NZ open maps project has a downloadable topo map which works in BaseCamp and can be exported to my Etrex but for some reason, although it enabled on my gps, nothing shows on the screen.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 06:39:20, 06/02/19
Which version of BaseCamp are you using?  The latest is v4.7 and it has a bug that prevents proper installation of maps. The solution is to revert to 4.6.2 or grab the .img file directly from the map provider and place that in the Garmin folder on your GPS.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 14:01:26, 06/02/19
Which version of BaseCamp are you using?  The latest is v4.7 and it has a bug that prevents proper installation of maps. The solution is to revert to 4.6.2 or grab the .img file directly from the map provider and place that in the Garmin folder on your GPS.
I am running 4.70 so I tried copying the .imag files on to the SD card as you suggested - there were 109 of them.  After that the Etrex and Basecamp refused to talk to each other and the Etex only acknowledged to the existence of the first 5 .imag files even though my SD card is only half full.  I could not be selective about which files I copied as there is no way of telling what is on each file.  Anyhoo, I deleted the .imag files and as I did it the Etrex and Basecamp suddenly started seeing each other again.  I think I will stick to ViewRanger and WiFi hopping to store the appropriate LINZ maps for off line use.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 16:39:50, 06/02/19
There should only be one .img file, you mention .imag files  :-\
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 17:41:19, 06/02/19
There should only be one .img file, you mention .imag files  :-\
When I looked in the file I set up to unpack the installation software from http://nzopengps.org/ there were 109 .imag files!  There was one labelled NZopentopo Add On and a load of .imag files with with sequential numbers.  I installed tried the topo imag file and that gives me topo data when viewing a route  in Basecamp but while it is also present and enabled on  my SD card there is zilch on the gps screen apart from the route.  The routable NZ file from the same source does install and display on the screen.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 19:08:48, 06/02/19
This http://www.nzopengps.org/public/Direct_gmapsupp/ is the link you need for the .img file  O0

It is a zipped file and extracts to a single .img file that needs to be placed in the Garmin folder on your GPS.  Looks like quite a good map.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 19:42:50, 06/02/19
This http://www.nzopengps.org/public/Direct_gmapsupp/ (http://www.nzopengps.org/public/Direct_gmapsupp/) is the link you need for the .img file  O0

It is a zipped file and extracts to a single .img file that needs to be placed in the Garmin folder on your GPS.  Looks like quite a good map.
Thanks
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 13:38:08, 07/02/19
Sussamb - I did as you suggested.  If I open the SD card in Basecamp I get the mapping perfectly but when I try to view the map on the Etrex screen I get the roads which increase in detail as I zoom.  Waterways and boundaries likewise, but contour lines and topological features are not displayed.  The gmapsupp image file is visible in the select maps option under the NZ Topo Add On map.  I have both enabled.  Any ideas?
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 13:42:00, 07/02/19
Try just enabling the one you want, sometimes transparency issues mean one map overwrites detail in the other. I should have time later to test it on my etrex  O0

Edit:  OK, works on my Etrex in that it shows what I see in BaseCamp but I'm not seeing contour lines, either on the device or in BaseCamp  :-\
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: Slowcoach on 13:47:29, 07/02/19
As  Sussamb says it is best to have only 1 mapset open at a time as having more open can affect the various layers in the mapping. Talkytoaster mentions this in his advice for downloading OSM.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 14:16:42, 07/02/19
I have already had a go at that.  Enabling the NZ Autoroute map knocks out some the detail but turning on the NZ Open Top Addon has no effect but I have set it to off.  All other maps including the Wordwide, UK and BirdEye are disabled.  I have tried different detail settings and different dashboard settings.  All I get away from roads and tracks are my plotted track, water features, mountain hut and summit icons.  Detail setting is cranked up to Most.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 14:38:27, 07/02/19
Are you seeing contour lines in BC?  I've edited my post above and you may have missed it, as I'm not seeing contour lines, other details seem ok including POIs etc

Checking the map using JaVaWa's Device Manager reports that it has segments with different transparency, and it says on some devices it may show as two maps, so unsure if that is the issue.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 17:48:17, 07/02/19
Are you seeing contour lines in BC?  I've edited my post above and you may have missed it, as I'm not seeing contour lines, other details seem ok including POIs etc

Checking the map using JaVaWa's Device Manager reports that it has segments with different transparency, and it says on some devices it may show as two maps, so unsure if that is the issue.
I think you and I are seeing the same thing then.  In BC I have wooded areas, cliffs, contours etc.  On Etrex mountain peaks etc are just POI icons - putting the cursor over them or any other feature identifies it in the top window.  However, the topographic detail as shown in BC is absent.  I will just have to follow the route like I did in the good old days with my Etrex Summit.  The frustration is that the lines of and even the existence of trails varies between the LINZ map and the Open Map.  I have plotted my routes using the LINZ and exported the trace from the VR website to the Garmin.  I am feeling a bit vulnerable as I have no paper maps - I will try to pick some up on arrival and cross my fingers on trail marking.  I am told the tourist offices are a good source of info.  The laptop is getting left behind so I will not have access to BC while I am there - hence the preparation now.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 18:52:43, 07/02/19
Then we're not ... I don't get contour lines in BC  :(
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 19:04:15, 07/02/19
Have you got NZ Topo Addon ticked in the maps menu?
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 19:45:51, 07/02/19
Ah missed that, just downloaded the map  :-[
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 21:04:32, 07/02/19
MY BC looks like this
(http://i68.tinypic.com/1gnixi.png)
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 21:19:16, 07/02/19
That does look good. What's the name of that map in BC?
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 21:25:34, 07/02/19
That does look good. What's the name of that map in BC?
  Free Open GPS NZ TOPO ADDON
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 23:11:34, 07/02/19
I'll try that tomorrow  O0
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 15:07:42, 08/02/19
Hmmm ... can't see where that is on their site, only map I can see is the one I installed that doesn't have contours.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 19:39:10, 08/02/19
Hmmm ... can't see where that is on their site, only map I can see is the one I installed that doesn't have contours.
I followed the instructions on the website http://nzopengps.org/index.php 
I started here http://www.nzopengps.org/public/Latest_Global_Indexing_Mapsets/ for the windows downloader
Which took me to 20190107_FREE_OpenGPS_NZ_Maps_Setup.exe (http://www.nzopengps.org/public/Latest_Global_Indexing_Mapsets/20190107_FREE_OpenGPS_NZ_Maps_Setup.exe)  
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 21:01:50, 08/02/19
Ah ok, you didn't download the .img file directly then.  I'll have a go with that.

Edit:  Done that but it still doesn't give me the NZ Topo Addon ... was that got through this site or another?
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 21:45:01, 08/02/19
Try http://gwprojects.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=32317#p32317
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 23:36:54, 08/02/19
Ah OK, that makes more sense, it doesn't come from the http://nzopengps.org/index.php site then  O0

Sent you a pm  :)
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 11:35:17, 09/02/19
Thanks for sending me the file you were using.  I've loaded it to my Etrex 20 and PC and I now get contours etc showing on both my PC and on my Etrex 20, so the question is why aren't you seeing contours on your Etrex 20?  Is it possible you have too many maps loaded so have exceeded the map segments limit?  If you have a lot of maps loaded try removing some to see if that makes any difference.

See here for detail https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=Sf7jHKwP2V53j6MoP8AeH8
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 12:00:07, 09/02/19
Thanks for sending me the file you were using.  I've loaded it to my Etrex 20 and PC and I now get contours etc showing on both my PC and on my Etrex 20, so the question is why aren't you seeing contours on your Etrex 20?  Is it possible you have too many maps loaded so have exceeded the map segments limit?  If you have a lot of maps loaded try removing some to see if that makes any difference.

See here for detail https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=Sf7jHKwP2V53j6MoP8AeH8 (https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=Sf7jHKwP2V53j6MoP8AeH8)


That is highly likely.  I have a large SD card and it holds ever map I have ever had including Birdseye and Kompass tiles.  I will try that
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 14:53:18, 09/02/19
Well I stripped out a Gig or two of maps until there was only the NZ files and the gmapsupp file left and still no contours etc.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 09:08:11, 10/02/19
Off to catch the big metal bird soon. Thanks for trying John - I appreciate the effort.
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: sussamb on 12:50:02, 10/02/19
Wonder if there's a setting on your etrex somewhere.  Anyway too late now, enjoy your trip.  When you're back I could send you my file that displays ok on mine to see what happens
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: BuzyG on 21:02:29, 10/02/19
Off to catch the big metal bird soon. Thanks for trying John - I appreciate the effort.


Have a great trip and keep us posted. O0
Title: Re: Garmin Maps for New Zealand - Big Let Down
Post by: ninthace on 21:06:52, 10/02/19

Have a great trip and keep us posted. O0
Thanks, Wilco, out.